On the eve of Mahalaya, DC Cachar Laya Madduri sings Rabindra Sangeet at District Library Auditorium

Silchar 27: Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of Devi-Paksha and the end of the Pitri-Paksha is an auspicious day for Bengalis, who celebrate it with much enthusiasm. Mahalaya is observed seven days before the Durga Puja. Just on the eve of Mahalaya ‘Surer Samiyana’ (সুরের শামিয়ানা) organised a whole night music carnival ‘Gaane Gaane Mahalayar Nishipalon’ (গানে গানে মহালয়ার নিশিপালন) at District Library auditorium on Friday evening.

Though many renowned artists of the valley performed melodious songs during the programme, yet the chief attraction was the performance by Laya Madduri, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar. It was indeed a surprise for the audience at District Library auditorium because when she went on to the dias, hardly could anybody understand that she would be performing there.

Video Credit: Dr. Himadri Das

DC Madduri tried to speak in Bengali. She said that she was elated to know that various artists will be performing in this whole night programme. She thanked the organisers for inviting her to this programme. It was then that she announced that she will be trying to perform a Rabindra Sangeet. The moment she made the announced, she was welcome with loud applauds. However, before starting she made it a point to pardon her if some mistakes creeps into her performance.

Well, since the time of the last Lok Sabha polls, people of the district have known Laya Madduri to be a very strict bureaucrat. None could even gauge that she would sing a song. But breaking that jinx, the Deputy Commissioner sang well and earned appreciation from the audience. She sang ‘Jodi tor dak sune keu na ashe, tobe ekla cholo re.’

Meanwhile, the video clipping of her song has become viral in social media. Many are seen to appreciate her endeavour to sing a Bengali song and that too a Rabindra Sangeet. A South Indian Deputy Commissioner singing Tagore’s song at Silchar, Assam in indeed praiseworthy.